WORKING GROUP II

X. INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION

A. International Migration and Development: In 10.1 (basis for
action), the Cook Islands stressed that countries of origin lose
skilled labor. The EU emphasized that international migration may
increase unemployment in countries of destination. The G-77 stated
that communities of destination continue to integrate migrant
workers and their families in a productive manner. In 10.2
(maximizing the benefit of migration), the Holy See, Bolivia and
the EU referred to the root causes of involuntary migration. In
10.3 (alleviation of uncontrolled migration), Canada suggested the
need for humane government policies. The US supported the reference
to environmental factors as a root cause. The US also called for
deletion of the reference to "international laws" in light of the
absence of international migration laws. The Cook Islands called
for protection of the rights of indigenous peoples.

B. Documented migrants: In 10.7 (basis for action), the G-77
stated that host societies should extend legal, social and economic
rights to documented migrants. In 10.8 (integration of documented
migrants), Turkey added reference to the importance of family
reunification. The EU added the need to protect against
ethnocentrism. Canada said that the general public must be educated
regarding the benefits of migration in receiving countries. Sweden
and Switzerland called for reference to female migrants and
children. In 10.10 (extending civil and political rights to
documented migrants), the US called for specific reference to
gender discrimination. The EU added ethnocentrism. The G-77 added
gender-based and religious discrimination and reference to the
importance of government respect of cultural traditions. Japan
wanted weaker language regarding governmental responsibility.

C. Undocumented migrants: In 10.12 (basis for action), the
G-77 said that every State has a sovereign right to decide who can
enter and stay in its territory. The EU requested deletion of the
reference to the unwillingness of countries of destination to admit
more documented migrants. In 10.13 (elimination of undocumented
migration), the Cook Islands requested reference to the sexual
exploitation of undocumented migrants. Australia requested
reference to the traffic in male migrants. Malawi referred to child
labor-related abuse. In 10.14 (safeguarding the basic rights of
undocumented migrants), Canada referred to the right of asylum. The
Holy See called for special attention to the educational needs of
children and pre-natal care for women. In 10.15 (exploitation of
undocumented migrants), the G-77 called for reference to
prostitution. The EU proposed that governments should make
potential migrants aware of the legal conditions for entry and
residence in host countries. The G-77 requested a new paragraph on
the monitoring of the conditions of migrants.

D. Refugees and asylum-seekers: In 10.17 (basis for action),
the EU mentioned that refugee children are in vulnerable
situations. The G-77 added a paragraph on the right to return home.
In 10.18 (the refugee problem), the G-77 proposed two new
sub-paragraphs on the needs of refugees in the formulation of
development programmes. In 10.19 (root causes of refugee
movements), the US referred to poverty and environmental
degradation. In 10.20 (international refugee support), the Holy See
called for prevention of refugee displacement by humanitarian
intervention. Afghanistan suggested a new sub-paragraph on the
removal of landmines threatening the safety of returnees. India
sought deletion of language linking rehabilitation assistance to
repatriating refugees with long-term reconstruction and development
plans.